BY Hassan Turaki.
The Jigawa State Government says it has spent close to N7 billion on its Workers Agricultural Support Programme, JSWAP, with more than 17,000 civil servants benefiting from the interest-free revolving loan since the scheme began.
The update was given on Thursday during the launch of Phase IV of the 2026 Rainy Season edition of the programme at the Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company, JASCO, in Dutse.
Representing Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi, the Deputy Governor, Engineer Aminu Usman, said JSWAP is part of the administration’s 12-Point Agenda designed to improve the welfare of civil servants and increase food production in the state.
He explained that the programme provides workers with farm inputs and interest-free loans, helping them to farm as an extra source of income while also supporting the state’s food security drive.
Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiation Council, JPSNC, Comrade Yusha’u Abubakar, said the government committed about N7 billion to Phases I to III of JSWAP. He described it as one of the most impactful agricultural interventions for workers in the state’s history.
According to him, no fewer than 17,000 workers have benefited so far. He praised Governor Namadi for the landmark investment in workers’ welfare and agriculture, noting that the revolving structure of the loan makes it sustainable and allows more workers to benefit each season.
“This is the most successful revolving loan scheme in the history of Jigawa State,” Yusha’u stated. He also lauded the Head of Civil Service and Chairman of the Technical Committee, Alhaji Muhammad K. Dagaceri, for his transparency and effective coordination of the programme, and assured that the committee would continue to ensure accountability.
Earlier, Alhaji Dagaceri credited the success of JSWAP to Governor Namadi’s vision for workers’ welfare.
He said the high rate of loan recovery in previous phases has kept the fund revolving, enabling government resources to support new beneficiaries.
He added that open and prudent management of the scheme has boosted public trust and ensured efficient use of state resources.
“The kick-off of Phase IV for the 2026 rainy season further shows Governor Namadi’s commitment to this programme and to the technical committee,” Dagaceri said.
The flag-off was attended by senior government officials, members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, labour leaders, permanent secretaries, heads of MDAs, and representatives of organized labour and civil servants from across the state.
